Signal-flashing system



Jan, 10, 1928.

D. B. HARRIS SIGNAL,FLASHING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 24- 1926 INVENTOR BY Qmfimm ATTO R N EY Patented Jan. 10, 1928.

UNITED. STATES DEL'VIN IB. HARRIS, OF MADERA, CALIFORNIA.

SIGNAL-FLASHING SYSTEM.

- fixed type which function by the flashing of electric lights controlled by the driver of the vehicle.

The present invention particularly repre sents an improvement over the type of device shown in my co-pending application for patent filed February 9th, 1925, Serial No. In 7823; my principal objects now being to arrange ,a simplifiedstructure for operating the distributor. brush from a moving'ele ment of the vehicle, and to provide an improved form of light casing so constructed that the lights as they are flashed will be visible from both sides of the car as well as T a from the rear,.and without. any direct glare gein thrown into the eyes of an oncoming river.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple an inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects-I accomplish by means of 5 such structure and relative arrangement of arts as will fully appear by a perusal of the ollowing specification and claim.

In the drawings similar characters of ref ,erence indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view .of the system. g r Fig. 2 is an end view of the distributo showing the connection of the distributor brush with the drive shaft of an ordinary speedometer.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation .of a light casing.

Fig, 4 is a cross section. of the casing on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring n'ow more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, I preferably employ three separate al members A, B, and C, to indicate the l dft hand, stopor rear, and ri ht hand signals respectively. These sign members are preferably'individual units to be mounted.

on the rear left hand fender, at the center ofthe car, and on the rear ri ht hand fend er respectively. These signa members are hereinafter described in detail.

These various signal members have batteries of electric light bulbs 1, 2, and 3 respectively, all the signals having the same number of lights, which are preferably arranged in a vertical row in said signal mem-' bers, as hereinafter set forth. To cause the Application filed February 24, 1926. Serial No. 90,322.

lights to be flashed on. and off in consecutive order I employ the following circuit and operating structure: A lurality of separate contacts 4 insulated rom each other are adapted to beengaged in consecutive and recurring order by a revolving brush 5, the number of contacts 4 being the same as the number of lights in each signal. Wires 6 are connected to the contacts 4 and lead thence to connections with the different batteries of lights 1, 2, and 3 in parallel relation by means of branch leads 6 6 and 6 respectively. The batteries of lights 1, 2, and 3 have common return wires 7, 8 and 9 respectively with switches 10, 11 and 12 interposed therein. The switches 10 and 12 controlling the left and right hand signals 'A and C are preferably of the'push-button type and would be mounted'on the steering wheel of the vehicle'on which the systemv is installed. The switch 11 controlling the stop signal B would preferably be of that commonly employed type closed by the depression of the foot pedal 13. The lead 14 from the moving contact .5 is connected to one terminal of the battery 15 ,of the car. The other terminal of the battery is grounded on the car as are the wires 7, 8 and 9 beyond the switches, These grounds of .course merely take the place of the actualwire connections between the battery and said wires 7, '8 and 9, which would otherwise be necessary. I

The wires 6 are so connected to the different lights in the respective signals that with .the rotation of the brush 5 the lights are flashed on and ofi'- in a predetermined and recurring sequence, either up or down as may be desired.

The contacts 4 are mounted in concentric relation to each other in a support 16 of ,insulatingmaterial. This support is mounted on a bracket 17 adapted to be attached The speedometer is provided wit abevel gear 23 which engages a similar gear 24 fixed-Ion the shaft 20. The adjacent end. of this shaft is journaled in a. casing'25 which connects the speedometer with the tubing 22 and in which for each member in the form of a triangle of symmetrical form in a horizontal plane.

The apical portion of'the casing, pointing toward the rear, is in the form of a remov' able cap 26 the sides of the casing proper adjacent the inner end of the cap being connected by a-transverse wall 27. Socket and wire connection members 28 for the lights 2 are mounted in the wall 27 in, vertically spaced order, the lights facing inwardly of the casing or away from the cap 26 The space between the, wall 27 and the said cap,

into which the members 28 project, provides suflicient room for the wires running to the different lights, so that the wires are concealed. The cap being removable it enables the wiring connections to be readily made and inspected whenever necessary, while normally maintaining them out of'sight.

The side walls of the casing are provided with vertical openings. 29' backed by panes 30 of glass orthe like colored or not as may be desired. To cause the rays from the lights 2 to be reflected efficiently through these side panes, a reflecting element 31 triangular in a horizontal plane is mounted in the casing ahead of the lights, the reflector extending for the full height of the casing and the apex thereof being centrally disposed relative to the lights a short distance ahead of the same. The back plate 26 of the casing, as well as the reflector, are removable, to enable the lights to be replaced when necessary,

- A bracket 32 of a character suitable for attachment to a convenient member of' the vehicle is mounted on and projects forwardly from the bottom of the casing. Y

The lights may be all of one color, of

tains the neatness of appearance of the cas- The right and left hand casing Aand C however, would be mounted with the apex of the casing projecting upwardly and extending transversely of the vehicle. Such casings would preferably be mounted on top of the fenders, so that the signal when a given would show both from front and rear.

A different form of bracket would of course have to be provided from that shown for use withthe centrally disposed casing B.

I From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a deviceas substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the presentand preferred construction of the device, still in practice, such deviations from form a departure from the spirit of the invention, a's defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to seeach other but terminating in edges spaced from each other, a wall extending between said spaced edges of the side plates, longitudinally spaced light sockets in' the wall to hold lamps directed toward the back of .the casing, and a V-shaped cover mounted to cover the sockets and complete the convergence of the side walls. y

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

,DELVIN B. HARRIS.

such detail may be resorted to as do not 4 

